Officer suffers minor injuries after chase in Mendocino National Forest

UPPER LAKE -- A U.S. Forest Service officer suffered minor injuries while trying to track down a subject who ran from authorities in the Mendocino National Forest on Wednesday, according to officials.

The name of the injured officer was not released.

The incident occurred while Forest Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials were working near Elk Mountain Road, Forest Service spokeswoman Tamara Schmidt said.

The officers came across a vehicle carrying irrigation equipment believed to be associated with marijuana cultivation, Fish and Wildlife warden Mark Michilizzi said.

The driver stopped the vehicle voluntarily, but one of the three occupants got out and ran, Michilizzi said.

A Forest Service officer followed on foot, a confrontation ensued and the person was ultimately apprehended, Michilizzi said. The federal officer sustained undisclosed minor injuries during the incident.

All three occupants, whose names were not released, were taken into custody, Michilizzi said.

Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow him on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh.